The medicinal product “Levomycetin” in the ear is prescribed for various diseases that are of a bacterial origin and are accompanied by a pronounced inflammatory process, earache, congestion and other unpleasant symptoms. This drug contains an anti-inflammatory element and an antibiotic, and it is as a result of such a complex effect that it gives a positive result.
However, with the use of a pharmacological agent, you must be careful, since it is intended for the treatment of eye diseases. With this in mind, a logical question arises: is it possible to instill the medicine “Levomycetin” in the ear?
Pharmacological properties of this medication
The Levomycetin solution is intended for use exclusively in ophthalmic pathologies. However, to date, clinical trials and studies have proven that such a medication is also quite effective in the treatment of bacterial otitis media.
For otolaryngological diseases, it is advisable to use alcohol based on chloramphenicol. However, the use of such a solution must necessarily occur under the supervision of a specialist, since it is possible to develop a variety of side effects.
Drops in the ear "Levomycetin" contain the active antibacterial element chloramphenicol. It is as a result of its effect that the use of a drug is highly effective.
An alcohol solution in the ears has a detrimental effect on the following types of bacterial infection:
- streptococcal;
- staphylococcal;
- pneumococcal;
- enterococcal.
In addition, this medication suppresses the reproduction of gram-negative bacteria, therefore, in case of pain in the ear caused by this type of pathogenic flora, in some cases it is even necessary to bury it.
Therapy of ear pathologies only with the help of this drug is impossible, since complex treatment is necessary. And even if the medicine “Levomycetin” in the ear for otitis media and purulent inflammation is prescribed by a specialist, it will be only one of the components of the treatment regimen.
Application features
If the drug is used for self-medication, you must carefully follow the instructions for its use.
The alcohol solution of “Levomycetin” in the ear with otitis media is sold in glass bottles without a special dispenser, so it is necessary to introduce it into the ear cavity with a pipette. Dosages for children and adults have practically no differences, but nevertheless, methods of correct administration should be considered separately.
For the treatment of ear diseases in adults, a 3% drug is used in the form of drops. Thus, according to the instructions, “Levomycetin” must be instilled two or two times a day. The medication should be administered with a sterile pipette, and only into the patient ear canal. It is not recommended to use drops in Levomycetin's ears for prophylactic purposes - this can greatly harm a healthy organ.
If the patient has both ears hurt, it is necessary to introduce the prescribed dosage of the drug into each of them. After processing one auditory meatus, it is recommended to lie down on one side for 1-2 minutes, and then start processing the second (if necessary).
After instilling the drug solution into the ear canal, you need to insert a small piece of cotton wool into the auricle, which will help to keep warm and will help the medicine stay in the ear for a maximum period.
For children
How to instill "Levomycetin" in a child’s ear? When treating children with medication, the age of the patient must be taken into account. According to the instructions for this medication, only children after 1 year old are allowed to drip it into their ears. The scheme of administration of the solution is the same as in adults, but only the dosage is different.
Thus, the alcohol solution in the ears of “Levomycetin” is instilled in children 1-2 times a day, 2 drops. If there is an abundant discharge of purulent contents from the ear with otitis media, the dosage can be increased to 4 drops. It is advisable to use the medicine at regular intervals. This helps to control the treatment regimen and to avoid overdose.
The medicine “Levomycetin” can be injected into the child’s ear not directly, but through the use of cotton swabs. Turunds should be made from pieces of cotton wool, which should be moistened in a 3% drug solution, and then inserted into such tampons in the ears for 20 minutes.
Contraindications
When using the drug "Levomycetin" in the form of alcohol for instillation of the ears, it is necessary to pay attention to the contraindications in the instructions. This medication for pain in the ear is forbidden to use in the following cases:
- individual intolerance to the drug;
- pregnancy, lactation period;
- fungal or infectious diseases of the skin of the ears (while the medication can cause severe itching and burning);
- liver dysfunction;
- impaired renal function;
- damage to the eardrum;
- age less than 1 year.
Side effects
The most common side effect of this medication is itching after instillation in the ear. If the medicine “Levomycetin” is administered correctly, no adverse reactions should occur. However, to avoid this, you should follow the doctor's recommendations and do not increase the dosage of the medication.
When using the Levomycetinum solution the following side effects can be observed:
- itching
- irritation;
- burning;
- peeling of the skin of the ears;
- allergic reactions that are accompanied by skin rashes;
- swelling of the ear tissues;
- hyperemia of the ear epidermis.
In case of any negative reactions of instillation of Levomycetin drug solution, it is necessary to stop using this drug and consult a specialist. In case of adverse reactions, symptomatic treatment is performed.
Special recommendations for the use of the drug
During the use of this medication, systematic monitoring of the picture of peripheral blood is required, since the active elements tend to be absorbed into the systemic circulation. With simultaneous use with ethanol, disulfiram-like actions may occur, which manifest themselves in the form of vomiting, nausea, seizures, reflex cough, flushing of the skin, tachycardia.
Interaction with other medicines
When combined with drugs such as Erythromycin, Linkomycin, Clindamycin, a mutual weakening of effectiveness may occur. Medicines that inhibit hematopoiesis in the bone marrow increase the risk of myelosuppression. With simultaneous use with penicillins, cephalosporins, the antibacterial effect is reduced.
Analogs of this drug
The main analogues of the solution of chloramphenicol for instillation in the ears are the following medications:
- "Synthomycin."
- Levovinisol.
We learn what patients say about how to apply Levomycetin eye drops in the ears?
Reviews about the drug
The drug has been known for a long time. Many patients did not even know that it was used to bury the ears in case of ear pain and otitis media, however, after the doctor prescribed this medication, they began to successfully use it.
The reviews will contain very conflicting information about this drug. Some patients use it constantly, for any ear pathologies, and say that the Levomycetin solution is a rather effective tool in the fight against ear diseases. Despite the fact that it is not recommended for use as a preventive measure, many patients still do this, for example, when discomfort occurs, which often becomes a harbinger of the disease. During use, there were practically no adverse reactions in this category of patients, and people tolerated the effect of the medication well.
Another category of patients lagged behind negative reviews about this pharmacological agent. They consider this medication outdated enough to use it at the modern stages of the development of medicine. They prefer to use newer drugs designed specifically for the treatment of ear diseases, which also contain antibiotics and anti-inflammatory substances.
We reviewed the instructions for use with Levomycetin in the ear.